by Linda Gilden @LindaGilden
When I wrote my first article for a well-known writer’s magazine, the last line of the acceptance letter said, “Please include a bionote with your article.” Bionote? What is that? I had never heard that term before and had to find out exactly what they were asking for.
Definitions and Details for Writing Your Bio
Bio Note: The magazine guidelines said it should be very short - no more than three lines. Three lines is not many words. Also included was this was not the place for education and family news, but for how you are qualified to write the article.
As I researched, I learned exactly what a bionote is. It is, indeed, short. Some publishers count it in lines (around three), others count it in words (100-150). At times it is a matter of space. For instance, if you are writing a one-page article and you are given a certain word count, there is usually not much room for extra words.
Biography: Sometimes this is called “bio” for short. There used to be only one type of biography, and most authors had one bio that they sent with every manuscript. It was a basic short document that included your name, family information, education, and other things. If you sent it in to your publisher, they just cut it down if it exceeds the number of words they need. When they simply ask you to include a biography, send a short bio that can be cut down if needed. Sometimes if they don’t state how many words they’d like, I send a short version and the full bio then they can pick which one they want depending on the space they have.
Full Biography: A full biography usually appears within the back matter of your book. You can include a headshot of yourself, and this usually fits on one page This is where you can pull out all the stops. You can include everything you would like your readers to know about you – education, life experiences, family, hobbies, work. Things that especially relate to your book are good to include. Also, include your contact information or website so they can tact you if desired.
I have found if you tell a short family story or a story about your grandchildren, people will remember it and often it becomes a good conversation starter when you meet in person. One of the things I usually include that is a great conversation starter is the fact that our family has a secret love note—folded potato chips! Hundreds of people have asked me what that is. When our family eats together, you will see the grandchildren quietly leave their chairs and slip a folded potato chip on someone’s plate. I never fuss when I see them doing that because I know what they are doing and it always makes me smile.
Biographies are important because they introduce the reader to the author. Some readers check out the biography first so they are acquainted with the author. So do your best as you introduce yourself to your readers, and you may make a new and faithful reader.
Here’s an example of the last paragraph of my usual biography.
Linda Gilden is a farm wife, mother, and grandmother. If you have another hour or more, she can tell you about the six cutest grandchildren on the planet! Her greatest joy is time spent with her family, where their secret love note is folded potato chips. Her favorite activity is floating in a pool with a good book surrounded by splashing grandchildren! www.lindagilden.com.
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Thank you, Linda, for the helpful differentiations. It was good to meet you in person at Blue Lake. Thank you for your contributions.
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